Election in Oregon Faces Candidate Shortages for Special Districts
As Oregon prepares for its upcoming elections on May 20, a notable issue has emerged: a significant number of special district races across the state lack candidates. Special districts, which manage local services such as water, fire, and sanitation, are often led by elected volunteers who receive limited compensation. Frank Stratton, Executive Director of the Special Districts Association of Oregon, highlights a disturbing trend—finding candidates is becoming increasingly challenging, particularly in rural areas where the pool of potential candidates is small.
In Deschutes County, over 17% of special district positions are unfilled, while Lincoln County reports an even higher vacancy rate of over 21%. Local Clerk Amy Southwell notes that some vacant positions belong to boards that have not been properly dissolved. For instance, the Cape Foulweather Sanitary District in Lincoln County has five open positions, with no candidates stepping forward to run. Former board member Paul Erskine explained that the district had effectively dissolved years ago, merging its funds into a neighboring entity.
While individuals could technically submit write-in votes, Erskine warned that the lack of funding and a tax base could hinder any newly appointed board’s effectiveness. Typically, if a position remains vacant after an election, the existing board can appoint someone. However, if they cannot reach a quorum or agree on a candidate, the decision falls to county commissioners.
Stratton believes the absence of candidates is a missed opportunity for community engagement. Although the ethics and transparency requirements might seem daunting, he stresses that these roles provide a valuable grassroots avenue for involvement in local governance. As ballots are dispatched ahead of the election, officials and communities are left pondering how to invigorate participation in local leadership.
This report is part of a larger effort by OPB and the Northwest News Network to deliver essential journalism to the Oregon and Washington communities.
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